Music Major: Composition Option (B.A.)

If you want to develop your skills as a composer while also pursuing a broad liberal arts education, the Bachelor of Arts in music with an option in composition is the degree you should pursue. You’ll study music theory and analysis, the history and literature of music, and world music and technical skills such as ear training and piano as you grow as a composer and performer.

Students wanting to declare composition as their option must submit a music portfolio in addition to an audition on their major instrument.

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

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The BA degree has a language requirement.

 

 

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Performing Ensembles are specified in the catalog.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

The Discovery Program capstone requirement is fulfilled by a final project or a public performance given during the senior year. For students in the composition option, there is a choice of completing a half lecture, half lecture-recital or a half recital including at least one original composition.

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Major department courses may not be used to satisfy Discovery category requirements except in the case of a second major. B.A. in music majors may use MUSI 502 Musics in Context (a required core course for the major) to satisfy the Inquiry Discovery requirement.

Music requirements must receive a grade of C- or better.

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Students will be given the opportunity to test out of MUSI 471 Theory I, MUSI 475 Functional Piano I, MUSI 476 Functional Piano I and MUSI 575 Functional Piano II, MUSI 576 Functional Piano II.

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A maximum of 8 ensemble credits may count toward graduation for all bachelor of arts in music students.

Music Composition Option Requirements

Degree program has final approval from the National Association of Schools of Music.

Students in the composition option, if not in a lesson studio, will attend composition seminar.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate the ability to perform a specialization instrument or voice at an appropriate solo level and/or in small ensemble and large ensemble.
• Aurally identify, analyze, and work conceptually with the elements of music in a variety of musical styles.
• Students will demonstrate familiarity with musical literature from the formal concert repertory and from musical traditions outside of that repertory.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop and defend musical judgments in writing and in oral presentation.
• Demonstrate collegiate-level skills in the English language, competence in written and oral communication in English, and fluency in communicating and synthesizing musical, historical and analytical concepts in writing.
• Demonstrate the ability to create substantial original compositions for solo instrument(s), chamber ensemble, or large ensemble.
• Present at least one substantial original composition in performance of a lecture, lecture-recital, or recital.